Is This Show Worth It?

[Cpt. Funkaho]

Okay, first I want to apologize for starting a thread over something as minor as me seeing a show, but I'm in Alaska, so decisions like this happen a couple times a year, maximum.

The Show: Mountain Goats are coming to Anchorage (Alaska) on February 19th.

If I lived in Anchorage, this wouldn't be an issue, I'd definitely be going.

The Hitch: I live in Fairbanks, 360 miles to the north of Anchorage. It will cost at least a couple hundred dollars to make the trip.

Pros:
-It's the album release show for Mountain Goats' new album, which comes out the same day, and it's pretty rare (I can't remember it ever happening, actually) that we get album release shows up here. I almost feel like I should go just because of that.
-It would get me out of town for a day or two; I'm starting to get a little cabin fever going on with the constant -40 temps.

Cons:
-It's a lot of money for one show. Jeff Lewis is opening, but I haven't heard much of anything he's done.
-I'm not a huge Mountain Goats fan, although I like some of their stuff.


So help me out here. Is this worth it, or am I better off saving my money?

Thanks,
Captain Funkaho

[suprefan]

Save the money, there will be better things another time.

[amyzzz]

I think FOI likes that band.

[chiapet]

I haven't been able to muster up the desire to get tix to go a couple of miles for this tour. I can't imagine 700 miles round-trip to see them.

[Cpt. Funkaho]

So far I hear two Nays and one no-comment. Anybody out there in the Yea camp?

[woogie846]

Do you have any friends that would be willing to go with you?

[miscorrections]

I say yes. Walruses and The Mountain Goats go together like a good thing and another good thing that goes with it.

[Cpt. Funkaho]

Do you have any friends that would be willing to go with you?

It's possible, but I kind of doubt it. In my circle of friends I'm the one whose musical taste is by far the most "out there". What would be more likely would be getting someone to go along who just wanted to go party in Anchorage for a night, but that's a pretty hard sell too since the show is on a Tuesday.

My girlfriend would probably come with me just because she loves me, but I don't want to put more financial strain on her because I've brought her from a solid "no" on coming to Coachella with me to a provisional "yes".

[orbit]

I wouldn't do it. Better save that money for Coachella or for another festival in the summer.

Then again, I'm considering traveling more than 2500 miles to Chicago just to see Autechre. So, nevermind.

[Cpt. Funkaho]

I wouldn't do it. Better save that money for Coachella or for another festival in the summer.

I'm planning on attending both Coachella and APW... that will probably be it for festivals for me.

[fasttrack]

i'd say go to the show.
if you can afford it without feeling like you shouldn't have gone then it'll be worth it.

[gratytrainridesagain]

Autechre is coming to Chicago. OMG that's fuckin awesome I'm so there.

[boarderwoozel3]

That's a lot of scratch and time for one show. I wouldn't.

[iv3rdawG]

I haven't been able to muster up the desire to get tix to go a couple of miles for this tour. I can't imagine 700 miles round-trip to see them.

I'll second this.

[TomAz]

dude. you're in alaska. it's winter. the only alternative to going is to sit around in the dark contemplating suicide.

if it will cause a major financial hardship, then no don't go.

if it will not cause a financial hardship, but you're just wondering if it's worth the money, i say go. i mean, the mountain goats may not be radiohead, but jeez you can't be picky. go for fucks sake. they're going all that way, certainly you can go a couple of miles (by alaska standards). take the train. call in sick the next day. take PTO.

if it will cause a minor financial hardship, then you have to decide, what do you love more, good but not great (by lower 48 standards) folk rock, or your gf's valentines present. you be the judge.

As far as the merits of the MGs go: If they were playing PHX I'd go unless they were playing Modified. but, as much as I bitch about the lack of scene here, I'm guessing it's not quite fairbanks. I bet missoula looks like midtown manhattan compared to fairbanks.

in summary: go, unless it means going without meals or rent or beer.

[bballarl]

I wouldn't drive that distance for the Mountain Goats. But I don't live in Alaska.

[sonofhal]

Go go go, as long as it's affordable. Jeffrey Lewis is worth the trip alone, and Mountain Goats live give me goosebumps.

[Cpt. Funkaho]

take the train.

That was actually my first thought, but in the winter the train only runs once a week- down on Sunday and back up the following Saturday.

Driving is probably the most cost-effective option, but with gas prices what they are it would still run in the neighborhood of... around $100-120 for gas, which isn't much improvement on airfare. Plus it's 6-8 hours each way depending on road conditions.

Plane costs $190-240, but only takes 45 minutes.

[vinylmartyr]

Holy crap get out of Alaska.

[TeamCoachellaHellYeah]

seriously, this is the main reason why I will never live in Alaska...or Hawaii for that matter....

[gaypalmsprings]

save your money & buy a one-way ticket to California

[wmgaretjax]

i would never pay that much money to see the mountain goats. but they are really good live... and I don't live in alaska. i second Tom's advice.

[tessalasset]

I third Tom's advice. Mountain Goats pleasantly surprised me last year when they played the El Rey. Much better than I expected. I saw Jeffrey Lewis a few years ago opening for Why? and he ruled. He stood on stage with a homemade book that he would turn pages to according to the song's lyrics. I just remember him being very interactive and funny. I ended up signing his mailing list before I left.

Seriously, if your pickings are slim, and it's not going to set you waaaaayyyy back, I'd go. I think it would be worth it. Especially for their album release.

[canexplain]

baaaaaaaaaaaa .... stay home ... canx****

[Somewhat Damaged]

If you're not that big of a fan, I say don't go.

[Courtney]

Wow. I just kayaked a sample itinerary to have a sense of what you are choosing from. Flights from Fairbanks to the continental 48 are really long and expensive. I had no idea.

That acknowledged, I'd say go to the show if you're looking for a little excursion because of cabin fever, and would enjoy a day or two in Anchorage regardless of the show. Because you're not a huge fan, the show in itself doesn't seem like a reason to make the trip, but it's a good excuse if you'd like to get out anyway. As long as you have the money to blow.

[TickleMeElmo]

Dude, I live in Eagle River and even I'M not going. I was thinking about it but opted not too, I'm not THAT crazy about them. Just wait for Spearhead, Talib Kweli and whichever Marley son is supposed to come up, amongs others who are shit unless I can get someone else to come up.